Ashwagandha provides many benefits that affect both your physical and mental health, and it’s been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. While ashwagandha supplements are generally well-tolerated, there are some potentially serious side effects to know before taking them.
1. Liver Injury
The most dangerous side effect of ashwagandha supplements you should be aware of is liver injury.
“There is increasing recognition of herb-induced liver injury associated with ashwagandha, particularly with prolonged use,” Daniel T. Abazia, PharmD, BCPS, CPPS, clinical associate professor at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers Health, told Verywell.
“While most cases resolve after discontinuation, severe outcomes—including acute-on-chronic liver failure and death in patients with pre-existing liver disease—have been reported,” he added.
Since the long-term safety of ashwagandha is unknown, it is recommended to supplement for no longer than three months, Samantha Dieras, DCN, RD, CDN, director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Health System, told Verywell.
2. Drowsiness
This may not be surprising since ashwagandha has been linked to improved sleep quality, but somnolence, or a state of drowsiness or sleepiness, is a common side effect of ashwagandha supplements.
Though the effect is usually mild, it’s good to keep in mind that you may feel a little more fatigued than normal after starting the supplements, Abazia said.
3. Vomiting
It’s rare, but ashwagandha supplements may cause vomiting for some people, according to Julia Zumpano, RD, a dietitian at the Cleveland Clinic.
Your chances of getting sick may rise if you take more than the recommended amount of the supplements.
4. Loose Stool
Ashwagandha supplements can also affect your bathroom habits. “Loose stool is among the most common mild and transient adverse effects” of ashwaganda supplements, Abazia said.
Ashwagandha supplements may cause direct irritation to the intestinal mucosa, which could lead to stomach upset in some people.
5. Nausea
Some people experience nausea when taking ashwagandha supplements, but most of the time it remains mild. Nausea is one of the less common side effects associated with ashwagandha, Abazia said.
Who Should Not Take Ashwagandha Supplements?
Ashwagandha supplements can be dangerous to people who take certain medications or live with certain health conditions.
“Patients with pre-existing chronic liver disease are at highest risk for developing serious adverse effects, including herb-induced liver injury, with long-term or high-dose use of ashwagandha supplements,” Abazia said.
Before taking ashwagandha supplements, you should speak with a pharmacist about your other medications to ensure you won’t experience any dangerous reactions.
“Ashwagandha is known to interact with immunosuppressants, sedative medications, thyroid medications, and diabetes medications,” Dieras said. Pregnant women should also avoid ashwagandha, as should men with hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, she added.
What This Means For You
Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, and there are many known benefits of taking ashwagandha supplements. They can support both your physical and mental health, but they can also cause uncomfortable and, in rare cases, dangerous side effects.
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